The Colorado Buffaloes delivered another frustratingly slim loss in their 2025 season finale against the Kansas State Wildcats.
Yet again, Colorado's defense held firm and kept the Buffs in the game late into the third quarter, only to give up a score or two and see their hopes crumble. It's become somewhat of a signature move for Colorado this season; however, it didn't make it any less maddening to watch happen in real time again.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith the 2025 season now in the books, let's take one last look back at the finale and grade the performances of the Buffaloes.
Quaterback
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter (3) runs by Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Jordan Allen (91) during the first quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn ImagesGrade: C+
Without Julian Lewis, senior Kaidon Salter got the start and took the Buffs on one last ride of the Salter rollercoaster. At times, his play was very solid, contributing to the Buffs' run-heavy approach to sprinkle in a new element to move them down the field. However, his worst plays are some of the worst quarterback plays you'll find in the nation. From the baffling decision to throw on his lone interception to disastrous sacks that kill drives, his play didn't do enough to elevate a struggling offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRunning backs
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Dallan Hayden (7) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Rex Van Wyhe (28) and safety VJ Payne (7) during the first quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn ImagesGrade: B
No lone rusher came near the 100-yard mark, wrapping up three years under Deion Sanders without a 100-yard rusher for the Buffaloes. With that said, both the offensive line and running backs had one of their better games of the season, namely Dallan Hayden, who led the Buffs in rushing yards. Hayden has been a welcome change of pace late in the season, starting whole drives off a huge run he supplied. Micah Welch threw in two touchdowns on a mediocre day, but the lone point scorer should get his flowers as well.
Receivers and Tight Ends
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) is pushed out of bounds by Kansas State Wildcats safety Daniel Cobbs (4) during the second quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn ImagesGrade: C+
This group has long been the most exciting on the team, but they delivered a real dud against Kansas State. That is, except for Omarion Miller, who continues to shine in this nightmare of an offense. His seven catches for 120 yards represent the lion's share of Salter's 172 passing yards and completions. Miller's speed and elusiveness have made him a star for Colorado and a player capable of revolutionizing an offense if given the proper targets.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDefense
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats tight end Brayden Loftin (87) looks for room to run against Colorado Buffaloes safety Isaiah Hardge (17) and cornerback Preston Hodge (4) during the first quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn ImagesGrade: B+
Did Colorado yield 206 rushing yards against Kansas State? Yes. Should it have been much worse? Also, yes. The Buffaloes' run defense is one of the worst in the nation; pick any metric, and they are toward the bottom. With nothing to play for and the Wildcats posting nearly 500 rushing yards against Utah, this game was poised to get ugly.
That isn't what happened, though, and through the first quarter, Colorado's front seven held firm against a strong rushing attack. Even late in the game, the Buffs continued to fight and make plays in the backfield, which earns them a nice grade.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpecial teams
Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes kicker Alejandro Mata (16) kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn ImagesGrade: C
Without the blocked kick, this group had a quiet and solid day that you could commend from the outside. But the momentum lost with that blocked kick cannot be overstated, and it's been a continued issue for the kicking group in 2025.
Coaching
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during the second quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn ImagesGrade: A+
Last week I said that if the coaching staff chose the best interest of Colorado and sat Julian Lewis to maintain his redshirt, I'd give them an A+, and I'm nothing if not a man of my word. All things considered, the coaching staff did its job, firing up the group and getting them ready to play in a game that did not affect them in freezing, snowy conditions. While it's another frustrating loss, for a performance where you waved the white flag five days before kickoff, this was as solid as it gets.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football vs. Kansas State player grades
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